Alien Bar: Found a Wizard Girl, Gale Sword - Chapter 29: Extortion
Seria had surrendered to exhaustion, the weight of weariness was pulling at her. Her eyelids drooped, and on the cusp of sleep, faint murmurs drifted through the spiderweb, rousing her senses.
Her spirits lifted, and she immediately snapped awake. Could it be passing adventurers? Perhaps she could be rescued.
“Is someone out there? Help me, please! I’m trapped here!” she cried out, as her struggles intensified.
Then, an abrupt hush fell outside, leaving Seria disheartened. Could those voices have been mere illusions?
“Hey, why don’t you release her?” The voice that emerged was clearer, as if just beyond the spiderweb. It belonged to a man with a soothing tone.
This time, she refrained from screaming, and tried to listen intently to the unfolding events
“You want me to just let her go? Wouldn’t that be a blow to my reputation? All my subordinates are watching, and she’s already dispatched so many of my underlings. It’s not an easy decision to make.”
“Do you truly care that much about them? Then why spare previous adventurers? You weren’t planning on harming her, were you?”
“I’m sorry, but my perspective has shifted. These insolent adventurers, invading people’s homes without a shred of decency, heedless of whether the owner consents or not. It’s downright impolite. I’ve resolved that henceforth, any intruding adventurer in this cave shall meet their end, starting with her.”
Encased in the spiderweb, Seria was taken aback. Was the woman speaking the Owner of this cavern? And who was the man she was talking to? Another formidable creature, perhaps?
The man spoke again, “Are you kidding me?”
?”I understand. It’s because I’m here that you want to negotiate terms.. isn’t it?”
“What do you think?” The woman’s tone oozed insolence.
Following a brief silence, she continued, “Fine, fine. I’ll let you into the bar for an hour everyday.”
The man yielded with reluctance.
Seria was puzzled. A bar? What bar?
“Just an hour? Maybe we should just dispose of her.”
“Two hours! No more.”
“Her muscles do seem quite robust, promising a satisfying chew.”
“Do you want her to stay at the bar forever?”
“That doesn’t sound bad.”
“Don’t joke around. What about the work outside the bar? Who will attend to the customers?”
Hold on, what were they discussing—work and customers? Wasn’t that woman supposed to be the monstrous ruler of this place?
Seria’s thoughts swirled.
“Isn’t Nilu still around?” the woman added.
“As long as you can ensure she stays awake during her shift, I have no objections.”
Following a brief pause, the female voice chimed in again.
“The little lackey by your side, indulges in free food and drinks in the bar everyday, with nothing else to do. Let her take my place.”
“Who’s a lackey?” Another voice retorted, sounding young and uncertain. Subsequently, in a hushed tone, came the question, “Do I get paid?”
“Do you take me for the proprietor? If you desire a wage, go seek it elsewhere. Otherwise, make the one trapped within to pay up.”
The man interjected, “Wouldn’t that be extortion?”
“Indeed? I think I hear my little brothers complaining of hunger.”
“Alright, alright! I accept your terms. I’ll allow you to work at the bar from now on.” The man finally acquiesced.
Swiftly, Seria felt the spiderweb being prodded from outside. The web relinquished its hold and crumbled into dust.
Swiftly, Seria felt the spiderweb being prodded from outside. The web relinquished its hold and crumbled into dust.
Once again, she was outside the spiderweb, facing a young man wielding a dark, sizable staff that emitted a gentle radiance, dispelling the encompassing darkness. By his side stood a girl donning a purple robe and a golden-haired woman with an air of triumph.
For a moment, Seria hesitated, recollecting their discourse. She promptly retrieved her money pouch and extended it with both hands, her voice earnest, “Thank you. Here’s a reward of 856 gold coins, all I possess. If it falls short, I can return to town and retrieve more.”
Leon accepted the pouch and waved his hand.
“No need, this is sufficient.”
“May I inquire about your name, sir? Um, I’m Seria, a solitary adventuring monk. I’m not prying, just curious to know your name.”
A female monk, it appeared. Leon observed the girl with surprise; despite her muscles, they weren’t overly pronounced or masculine. Instead, they flowed with graceful lines, exuding a healthy and lively allure. Her lovely, delicate countenance and smooth silver hair would even persuade Leon to believe she hailed from noble lineage.
“Leon.”
Seria quietly memorized the name.
“In gratitude for rescuing me, I’ll remember this.”
Seria glanced at Elise and swiftly departed. Despite harboring many questions, a seasoned adventurer knows when to remain silent.
As Seria withdrew, Elise playfully taunted Leon, “Isn’t she charming? You seemed nearly entranced. I gave you a chance to be a hero and save a damsel; you better thank me properly.”
Leon turned his head, speechless, and noticed Lanya’s peculiar stare—a look bordering on questioning if the girl truly possessed such charm.
An amused chuckle escaped Leon as he weighed the pouch in his hand and tossed it to Lanya.
She fumbled to catch it, her prior emotions instantly swept away. Stammering, she asked, “F-for me?”
“If you’re willing to assist at the tavern, consider this your wage.”
“Of course, of course!” Lanya exclaimed, brimming with excitement. A mere six hours of work daily, in a virtually empty establishment, coupled with complimentary meals and lodgings, netting over 800 gold coins—the prospect was beyond her wildest dreams. With such earnings, she could hire a capable and charming elf maid for an entire year, unlike herself, who lacked any significant skills.
Even if she had to work at the tavern for ten years, she’d still be willing with such a reward.
However, she produced a 50-gold coin and handed the pouch back to Leon.
“Could you hold onto this for me? I’m afraid I might lose it again.”
Leon smiled, “Sure, if you need money, just come find me.”
He stowed the pouch into his spatial ring, then recollected Lanya’s lost pouch containing over a thousand gold coins.. It might still be in this spider cave.
“Hey Elise, can you ask your little brothers if they’ve seen Lanya’s pouch?”
Elise, in good spirits for having her bar privileges reinstated, readily agreed.
“No problem, I’ll give you an answer when I work in two days.”
Leon remembered something else.
For the Adventurers Guild registration, a spider tooth was requisite proof. Since Elise was the cave’s overseer, securing a tooth from her underlings should be straightforward.
“Consider it done.”
Elise’s spirits soared, and she beckoned a nearby spider lackey to her side. Covered in soft fur, half of Leon’s height, with a row of round, adorable eyes atop its head. It emanated an inexplicable cuteness.
.
Especially the shiny, jet-black pincers that practically begged to be touched.
Snap.
“Is one enough, or should I get you another?” She asked mischievously.
Leon chuckled, his surprise now transitioning into amusement. “One should suffice, thank you.”
As Elise tended to her business, Leon contemplated the events. He had expected their exploration to bring forth challenges and surprises, but the unexpected camaraderie and quirky encounters were proving quite enjoyable.
Time passed, and true to her word, Elise returned with news. “Found it. Our dear lackey here lost a tooth recently.”
She handed the spider tooth to Leon, who regarded it thoughtfully. With the tooth and the reward pouch, he now had the necessary tokens for the Adventurers Guild registration.
“Thank you, Elise.”
“No problem! And I think our little friend here appreciates the attention,” Elise remarked, patting the spider-like creature.
Lanya hesitated, then gently touched the creature’s remaining pincer. Unexpectedly, it seemed to purr, releasing a sound akin to a contented hum.
“Maybe we should give it a name,” Leon mused, his eyes glinting mischievously.
Elise laughed. “Why not? How about… Pincer?”
Lanya blushed slightly. “That’s actually kind of cute.”
With the cutie now named as Pincer, the trio shared a moment of lightheartedness. However, their thoughts soon turned back to their initial objective—the exploration of the cavern.
Leon turned to Elise. “About this place, is it only occupied by you and your subordinates?”
Elise nodded. “Yes, this cave serves as my territory, and my companions are the ones you’ve met.”
“In that case, would you be willing to help us navigate the cavern further? We want to uncover its mysteries and perhaps address any potential threats it may harbour.”
Elise’s eyes lit up. “Of course! I’d be glad to assist you.”
Guided by Elise and her companions, Leon, Lanya, and Elise ventured deeper into the cavern, unraveling its enigmatic secrets. As they pressed forward, they encountered curious creatures, unique flora, and more of Elise’s companions.
Each step unveiled new wonders, and with Elise’s guidance, they navigated with ease. The trio marveled at the underground beauty that had remained hidden from the world.
Through their collaboration, bonds formed—unexpected friendships born from the most peculiar circumstances.
And so, the cavern, once a place of entrapment, became a realm of exploration and connection, echoing with the laughter of newfound companionship and the promise of further adventures.
Hi,1Hi, Translator here, I hope ya’ll post good reviews for our Leon on Novel Updates.??
Translator
